Tag Archives: Guy Williams

It’s that special time of year when comedians from across the globe descend upon our great land for the NZ International Comedy Festival. Like the years that have passed, this one is no different; there’s a plethora of great comedians to choose from. To help you out, we’ve listed some of our top picks below.

Lyrical tales from the road mixed with iffy wordplay and first-rate bullsh*t. Alexis has been seen on Comedy Central At The Comedy Store, Set List, The John Bishop Show, Ricky Gervais’ Derek and Red Dwarf.

Looking to check out some international talent but don’t know where to start? May we introduce Edinburgh Fringe heros, Lauren Pattison, Fin Taylor, Phil Wang and Ian Smith from the UK, all packaged together as part of the Big (two hour) show.

After completing a phenomenal 100 date sell-out 2017/2018 tour and becoming the first Asian stand-up to play a sold-out show at London’s Wembley Arena, comedy powerhouse and star of Taskmaster, Live at The Apollo and Stand Up for the Week, Paul Chowdhry will be coming to New Zealand. Hurry, this will sell out!

Love him or hate him, he’s back for another year. Billy T Award winner David Correos has developed a reputation for delivering a maelstrom of comedy that has seen him get five star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe. This is full noise, powerful, messy comedy; defying genre and labels. Sometimes it’s paint, sometimes cinnamon, could be a bread knife – it’s hysterical nonsense.

This year at the NZ International Comedy Festival, Guy Williams managed to impress with a lively (albeit slightly shouty) sell-out show at the Basement Theatre with self-deprecating ease.

The Basement provided a comfortable setting for Williams’ featured show, engaging the audience seamlessly, and keeping the atmosphere buoyant with a spirited performance. ‘Why Am I Like This?’ begins confidently, with him keeping his material relevant and current throughout.

Williams’ undeniable talent for political heckling remains, and we are updated in regards to his recent antics on social media – blessed. He communicates raw comical honestly which is refreshing when compared to the rehearsed-mood sometimes encountered in the current comedy scene. Although some of the show feels a little rehearsed with music cues and whatnot, he handles improv with ease (twice his performance was interrupted by late-comers, which is possibly not a great thing to happen to the late-comer, but can really work to a comedians advantage).

I have to recommend Guy Williams’ show – go and see him while you can readily acquire tickets; His reach and audience appeal continue to grow, as does his obvious comfort on a larger visible public platform. Also he treats us to more texts from his Mum. Thumbs up.

GUY WILLIAMS performs at the Basement Theatre; His last show Sun 7 May as part of the 2017 NZ International Comedy Festival from 27 April – 21 May. For the full line-up of shows in the Festival head to the Comedy Fest website!

I entered the Montecristo venue half-heartedly, expecting Guy Williams to subject us to the style of humour he’s known for on the Jono and Ben show. Thankfully, he didn’t meet expectations.

Williams opened his show with flashing lights and a rehearsed rap-intro and didn’t fail to impress. But I’ll say this – I never thought I’d have to listen to the Numb/Encore Linkin Park/Jay-Z collab ever again. Thanks, Guy.

He covered pretty much everything locally-political; his trolling of NZ Politicians, the flag referendum, Twitter, the TPPA, John Key, and Kinder Surprises (because, of course). The show was recognisably ‘Kiwi’, accessible, and comedically relevant.

I was pleasantly surprised by his confidence; he saved his stage-goofs with unique flair, and delivered one-liners with ease. He would lead you to believe he’s a small-town kiwi, slightly crass, and offensive – it appeals to his audience and reinforces his sarcastic edge. I got the distinct impression however, he had dumbed-down many of his jokes for the crowd, and beneath his exterior is a rather witty, intelligent individual, well-versed in politics and satire. I also found his awkward-clumsiness endearing, which was rather unsettling.

3/5 Stars

Watch Guy Williams talk about his Mums’ e-mails, and get tickets for his show HERE.

Jono and Ben hosted a lively show, to kick-start the New Zealand International Comedy Festival 2016. Guy Williams featured, along many other guests to give a taster of what’s to come for this years NZICF.

They brought their grass-roots, (and often) juvenile humour for what turned out to be an entertaining evening. Included in the show were the usual segments from ‘Jono and Ben’ (Man Vs Child, Next Actor), which proved to be the highlights in between breaks and cuts. During some cuts, Jono, Ben and Guy Williams interacted with the audience in a very honest and friendly way, really engaging with the audience when they had the chance.

A terrible yet hilarious comedic ‘live band’ featured, comprised of other comedians who are performing during the comedy festival. The band provided entertainment, as well as unsynchronized ‘music’ at the sometimes-correct moments, joking with the audience and creating a light-hearted atmosphere.

Guy Williams was a very prominent feature, working in tandem with Pryor. Boyce lapsed into obscurity a tad, lacking in presence and providing very little impact and very little to remember him by. It seemed like the paring was more Jono and Guy, with Ben as a background existence, unfortunately.

Arj Barker (Flight of the Conchords), Laura Daniels (from Funny Girls and Jono and Ben), Rhys Darby and Grant Lobban and guested with their unique styles, giving teasers of what to expect from their shows during the festival. Barker was a highlight, his relaxed, well-timed humour successfully building anticipation for his upcoming show. Rhys Darby (who’s hosting the Comedy Gala) and Grant Lobban closed the night with a snippet from ‘Rhysently Granted’, their somewhat confused performance-based show, with musical/sketch elements.

By the end I was left with the impression that Jono and Ben (although Jono especially) are genuine, friendly guys, and showed real enthusiasm toward the audience and their guests. I’ll still be watching the show on TV3, without the time in-between cuts.

The New Zealand International Comedy Festival is back from Friday 26 April to Sunday 19 May in both Auckland and Wellington. Like previous years, the festival promises a line-up of both local and international comedy super-stars. With so many to choose from, you might not know where to begin. To help, we’ve put together our list of top picks (in alphabetical order) for you to have a look at:

For more information, tickets and a bunch of other stuff, check out the Comedy Festival website.

ARJ BARKER

Arj Barker returns! Since his last trip to New Zealand Arj has been touring constantly, both solo and with his old pals, The Flight of the Conchords. According to Arj, his new show Go Time is both “what audiences expect from me, AND the last thing they expect from me, which if my calculations are correct, will make for a great show!”

“Slick, talented & completely in control” Scotland Times

BEN HURLEY & STEVE WRIGLEY – More Liv eand More Unleashed

After their hugely successful season at the 2012 Comedy Festival, stars of TV3’s 7 Days Ben Hurley & Steve Wrigley return with another huge hour of comedy. With stand-up, special guests and their unique unscripted banter, this is comedy as it should be. No rules, no censors, just two dudes doing funny.

The show has been picked up by TV3 for screening in 2013, this is sure to be one of the hottest tickets this Festival.

BITCHIN’ BINGO – Bingo Mistress Viv

Bitchin’ Bingo is New Zealand’s only performance based comedy bingo show.

**** “Fantastic comedy… a rising star” Edinburgh Festival MagazineDanny Bhoy – Dear Epson
Letters. Funny old things? They can make you laugh, and make you cry. They can make paper aeroplanes. This show features some of the letters you never got round to writing because you thought life was too short. Well, I think life is just about the right length, so plenty of time to write to these arseholes. Crusade is not the right word, but join me on my crusade to effect real change in this broken world. This is a stand-up show with some sitting down.

All comedians make big claims, but how many get asked to prove they’re “funny” in a court of law? Dave did. One of Australia’s top comedy writers makes his NZ debut. Nominated TimeOut Sydney’s Best Comedian (2011).

Originally directed by Alan Brough and produced with a Moosehead Award.

“Intelligent and funny… with the smarts to cover ground few others have trodden”Chortle.co.uk

“Let it be said in print: Dave Bloustien is funny” The Age, AUS

Guy Williams – Guy Williams has won an Award
After five years of easy work Guy Williams is finally getting the respect he has never really deserved. With award in hand Guy can finally fulfill his dream of “nailing shit 24/7” and just generally “feeling the vibes.”

As seen on Jono and Ben at Ten and other things as well.

2012 Billy T Award Winner

Metro Best Comedian (2012)Nick Rado – Funniest Joke in the World
Last year Nick Rado – NZ Comedy Guild Best MC (2011 & 2012) witnessed the funniest joke in the world. The joke has more laughter, tension, mirth and rounds of applause than any other scripted joke ever told. For your laugh-out-loud pleasure, Nick will retell this joke.

PS. It involves a pineapple.

“Had me nearly rolling on the floor with laughter” Theatreview.org.nz“On-its-toes hilarity and crowd pleasing buffoonery” Three Weeks, EdinburghPax – Pax’s Magic Carpet Ride
Some call him PAX, others call him the Middle Eastern Dr Phil, but you can call him the Grand Poobah of Funny. Join PAX on a riotous journey where he will blow your mind with the truth about the Middle East; and with six months under his belt, he’ll give you all the tips on making marriage ‘work’.

A Billy T Nominee, a finalist at the Raw Comedy Quest 2011, an Ambassador for New Zealand/Middle Eastern Race Relations [unauthorised] and one of NZ’s most exciting up-and-coming comedians [fact].

“I think he might be a racist” His wife

Stephen K Amos is The Spokesman
Returning to New Zealand for a strictly limited season after sell out world wide tours. This new show is a refreshingly honest tale of comedy and life.

“This blisteringly funny Brit is at the top of his game” Herald Sun, AUS

Tom Green

You know Tom Green from his anything-goes run as the funniest, most unpredictable personality on MTV, and his unforgettable, deliciously loony roles in uproarious film comedies including Road Trip and Freddy Got Fingered. Tom now brings his unique brand of hilarity to the art of stand-up comedy, he recently headlined at the world renowned Edinburgh Comedy Festival where he performed to sold-out audiences and received rave reviews. Experience one of the great comic minds in the field of entertainment, when Tom Green takes the stage and provides non-stop laughter with his brilliantly cracked view of the world.

Trevor Noah – The Racist

South African comedian Trevor Noah’s explosion onto the world comedy scene has been nothing short of meteoric with huge success in the UK and the US. His sharp wit, intelligent commentary, and unmistakable charm have established him as an extremely popular comedian with undoubted world-class potential. Noah presented his one man show The Racist at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe Festival (presented by Eddie Izzard) in sold-out run that created a huge buzz with audiences and critics.

The Wayans Brothers
Shawn and Marlon Wayans, the Dynamic Duo of Comedy an members of Comedy’s “First Family”, are coming to New Zealand for the first time with their hilarious standup show. Best known for collaborating on a string of hilarious flicks, including Don’t Be A Menace, White Chicks and the hugely successful Scary Movie 1 & 2, Shawn and Marlon have left an indelible impression on the world of comedy, both on screen and off.

Wayne Brady – Still Makin’ Sh*t up
He’s been often cited as the ‘nice guy’ of entertainment in the United States, but multi-Emmy award winning comedian Wayne Brady will have you gagging for laughter as he makes a welcome return to the NZ International Comedy Festival.

The star of Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Don’t Forget The Lyrics is well known for his improvisational genius, unique musical talents and limitless impersonation skills. Wayne Brady’s show features comedy, improv, singing, and even dancing.

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